Heating system utilizing an electrolytic device in a closed hydraulic circuit

ABSTRACT

An electrolytic method and means of heating is characterized by driving an electrolytic fluid of predetermined physical characteristics through a closed hydraulic circuit including, in series arrangement, a pump for driving the fluid through the circuit, an electric heating device of the type including at least one pair of electrodes arranged to define a flow passageway within the circuit and means for applying an electric potential across the fluid to heat the fluid electrolytically and heat exchanger means configured for transferring thermal energy either to a gas, such as air in a manner to form a space heater, or to a liquid, such as water in a manner to form a domestic water heater or a water heater for a swimming pool or to any other utilitarian fluid. Each pair of electrodes includes inner and outer coaxially disposed electrodes having cylindrical confronting surfaces spaced to define an annular flow passaway. In order to eliminate eddy currents and turbulence within the passaway, the inlet and outlet conducts to and from the passageway are so formed and arranged in the inner electrode that the fluid passes through the passageway in a spiral fashion. The electrolytic fluid consists of distilled water having dissolved therein a metallic salt, such as copper sulfate, and an anionic material, such as alkyl aryl sufonate.

United States Patent Oglesby [451 May 30, 1972 [54] HEATING SYSTEMUTILIZING AN ELECTROLYTIC DEVICE IN A CLOSED HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT 72Inventor: William T. Oglesby, Little Rock, Ark.

[73] Assignee: Hydroflow Corporation, Little Rock, Ark.

[22] Filed: Dec. 12, 1969 [21] Appl. N0.: 884,482

[52] [1.8. CI ..2l9/292, 219/289, 219/294,

[51] Int. Cl. ..HOSb 3/60, F24h 1/12, F24h 3/06 [58] Field of Search..2l9/284-295, 325, 2l9/326, 341, 365, 310, 312

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,469,074 9/1969 Cotton eta1 ..2l9/284 1,132,604 3/l9l5 Nash", ....2l9/291 1,329,488 2/1920Whelan... ....2l9/292 1,355,644 10/1920 Beudet.... ...219/341 X1,403,102 1/1922 Perkins... ...219/285 X 1,503,972 8/1924 Berg 219/284 X2,325,722 8/1943 Walther ..219/284 X 2,680,802 6/1954 Bremer et a1...219/291 2,825,791 3/1958 Jackson 219/365 X 2,836,699 5/1958 Mullin...219/292 X 3,105,137 9/1963 Sullivan et a1 ..219/284 X FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 134,734 10/1949 Australia ..2l9/288 52,668 6/1944 France316,012 11/1919 Germany....

380,836 9/ 1923 Germany 218,845 4/1942 Switzerland ..2 1 9/284 PrimaryExaminer-A. Bartis Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & SimpsonABSTRACT An electrolytic method and means of heating is characterized bydriving an electrolytic fluid of predetermined physical characteristicsthrough a closed hydraulic circuit including, in

1 one pair of electrodes arranged to define a flow passageway seriesarrangement, a pump for driving the fluid through the circuit, anelectric heating device of the type including at least within thecircuit and means for applying an electric potential across the fluid toheat the fluid electrolytically and heat 1 exchanger means configuredfor transferring thermal energy either to a gas, such as air in a mannerto form a space heater,

or to a liquid, such as water in a manner to form a domestic waterheater or a water heater for a swimming pool or to any other utilitarianfluid. Each pair of electrodes includes inner and outer coaxiallydisposed electrodes having cylindrical confronting surfaces spaced todefine an annular flow pas- ..saway. In order to eliminate eddy currentsand turbulence 5 Claims, 5 Drawing figures Patented May 30, 1972 2Sheets-Sheet l mLL/AM 7 06655 Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention The present invention relates generally to electricheating systems, and more particularly refers to an electric heatingsystem having a closed hydraulic circuit including an electric heatingapparatus of the type having at least one pairof electrodes arranged ina manner to define a flow passageway within the circuit and an electricpower means for applying a potential across an electrolytic fluidflowing through the heating device.

2. Description of the Prior Art Previously, electrolytic cells, of thetype having a pair of electrodes arranged to fonn a flow passagetherebetween for receiving an electrolytic fluid and means for applyinga potential across the fluid, have been used with a continuous supply offresh fluid. Thus, the efficiency of the unit has previously beendependent-on a constantly changing chemical content of the fluid. Sincethe amount of heat and electrical energy consumed will vary in directproportion to the conductivity of the fluid being heated in anelectrolytic cell, use of electrolytic cells for producing thermalenergy from electric energy has, heretofore, been relatively'limited.

Prior art heating systems which utilize electrolytic cells wherein theutilitarian fluid is directly passed through the cell are not readilyadapted to many liquid applications. For example, a heating system for aheated swimming pool could present a serious safety hazard if thechlorinated water utilized in the swimming pool had a current directlyvassed therethrough. v I

Further, efficiency of electrolytic cells known in the prior art hasbeen low due to eddy currents occurring within the fluid as the sameflows through the cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, a heating system utilizing an electrolytic cell has aclosed hydraulic circuit including, in series arrangement, a pump forcirculating an electrolytic fluid through the circuit, at least oneelectrolytic cell and heat exchanger means for transferring thennalenergy from the heated electrolytic fluid to a utilitarian fluid. Eachof the electrolytic cells comprises a pair of electrodes arranged in amanner to form a flow passageway therebetween for receiving theelectrolytic fluid and electric power means for applying an electricpotential acrossthe fluid as the same passes through the cell. Aplurality of the cells may. be provided in the hydraulic circuit andarranged in either series or parallel disposition depending upon therequired thermal energy and flow capacity of the system.

With the closed hydraulic circuit of the present invention, theelectrolytic fluid passed through the cells may have a known andcontrolled predetermined chemical composition, thereby enabling accuratecontrol of the efficiency of the cell by the use of a fluid having anoptimum chemical composition.

The heat exchanger means provided in the hydraulic circuit may bearranged and configured for transferring heat to either a gas or aliquid. For example, the heat exchanger means may include a finnedr'adiator having atmospheric air forced over thermal transfer surfacesof the radiator in a manner to form a space heater of the forced-airtype. Also, the heat exchanger means may be arranged to transfer thermalenergy to a liquid, in which case the heating system of the presentinvention may be safely utilized to provide domestic hot water or toheat chlorinated water for use in a heated swimming pool.

The electrolytic cell includes an inner electrode or elongated bushaving an outer cylindrical surface and an outer electrode encirclingthe bus and having an inner cylindrical surface radially spacedoutwardly of the bus surface in a manner to form an annular flowpassageway within the cell. In order to eliminate eddy currents withinthe cell, conduit means formed in one of the electrodes for directingthe electrolytic fluid through the annular passageway are arranged andconfigured so that-the fluid passes through the annular passageway in aspiral flow path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of asystem for heating a gas, such as air, embodying the principles of thepresent invention and with portions of an outer cover removed forclarity;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a heating system of the present inventionfor transferringthermal energy to a liquid with portions of an outercasing broken away;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pair of serially arrangedelectrolytic cells constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line IV- IV of FIG.3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line V- V of FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to thedrawings, a heating system 10, constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention, includes a closed hydraulic circuitgenerally indicated at 11. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hydrauliccircuit comprises, in series arrangement, a pump 12 having a motor 13, aplurality of electrolytic cells 14, heat exchanger means 15, anelectrically actuated flow switch 16 and a thennostat 17.

An electrolytic fluid having a known chemical composition is circulatedwithin the closed hydraulic circuit 11 by the pump 12 located at a firstpoint in the hydraulic circuit. The electrolytic fluid utilized in theexample described herein consists essentially of fifteen parts permillion of copper sulfate and three parts per million of alkyl arylsulfonate, an anionic material commercially marketed by Purex Corp. Ltd.under the trademark Trend'liquid detergent, and distilled water.Although it has been found that the specific electrolytic fluid producesexcellent results, other compositions consisting essentially of ametallic salt and an anionic material may be utilized.

A plurality of the electrolytic cells 14 are located at a second pointin the circuit downstream of the pump 12 and as the fluid passestherethrough an electrical potential is applied across the fluid in amanner to heat the fluid by an electrochemical process sometimesreferred to herein as "electrolytic heating." Thermal energy istransferred at a third point in the circuit to a utilitarian fluid, suchas air, from the heated electrolytic fluid by the heat exchanger means15. Thereafter, the spent fluid is recirculated back to the pump 12.

The electrolytic fluid is wholly contained within the closed hydrauliccircuit 11 in accordance with this invention so that the chemicalcomposition, and thus the conductivity, of the fluid may be optimizedrelative to the material of the electrolytic cells, a temperaturedifferential across the cells and voltage and current densities withinthe cells. Thus, an amount of thermal energy to be produced and anamount of electrical energy to be consumed in producing the thermalenergy may be accurately determined and the efficiency of the system maybe optimized.

' The number of the electrolytic cells 14 provided within the system 10may vary depending upon a required flow capacity of the hydrauliccircuit 11 and a required thermal energy for the system 10. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, three pairs of the cells 14, with the cellswithin one of the pairs arranged in series, are disposed inparallel-between a pair of manifold pipes 18 and 19. The parallelarrangement provides the necessary flow capacity, whereas the seriesarrangement is dependent upon the thermal energy required by the system10. A variety of other series, parallel or series and parallelarrangements are possible in order to meet a particular system'srequirements.

Since a given fluid will change its conductivity in direct relationshipwith the temperature, i.e. the hotter the fluid, the more conductive itbecomes, it is desirable to have two or more of the electrolytic cells14 in series with progressively greater distance between the electrodesforming the flow passageway when a temperature differential of a valuegreater than 75 F. is desired. Further, it has been found to be moreeconomical when large volumes of heated fluids are required tohydraulically connect several of the cells 14 or series of the cells ina parallel arrangement to accommodate the required flow of theelectrolytic fluid. An additional benefit of the parallel configurationis that due to the capacitance effect of the cells 14, the sum total ofelectrical energy, when measured in ampheres or watts, used by each ofthe cells exceeds that of the measured electrical energy of the systemas a .whole.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, asillustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, inclusive, each of the electrolyticcells 14 comprises an outer electrode 21 and an inner electrode 22, bothof which are composed of electrically conductive material, such ascopper, and a pair of end caps 23, 23, composed of insulating material.

The inner electrode or bus 22 is an elongated bar member having an outercylindrical surface 24 and a pair of externally threaded nipples 26 and27 extending axially of the cylindrical surface. The outer electrode 21includes a hollow cylindrical member having an inner cylindrical wallsurface 28 encircling the bus surface 24. An inside diameter of theouter electrode wall surface 28 is larger than an outside diameter ofthe bus cylindrical surface 24, thereby to form an annular space orpassageway 29 between the bus and the outer electrode for receiving theelectrolytic fluid circulating within the closed hydraulic circuit 11.

1 Each of the end caps 23, 23 is a disc-shaped member having an annularrabbet 31 for receiving one of the opposite end portions 32 of thecylindrical outer electrode. An aperture 33 is formed in each of the endcaps 23 coaxially of the annular rabbet 31 and is sized to fittinglyreceive the reduced diameter nipples 26 and 27, thereby to mount the bus22 within the outer electrode 21 so that the cylindrical surfaces 24 and28 are coaxially disposed to form the annular passageway 29.

A pair of collars 34, 34, each'having internal threads 36 formedcomplementally to the nipple threads secure the end caps 23, 23 inassembly with the bus 22 and outer electrode 21. One of the collars 34is threaded onto each of the nipples 26 and 27 andclamps an adjacent oneof the end caps 23 against planar end walls 37 of the bus and end walls38 of the outer electrode, thereby to close opposed ends of the annularpassageway 29. Suitable sealing gaskets may be positioned between theend caps 23, 23 and the opposed end walls of the bus 22 and the outerelectrode 21 to ensure that the annular chamber 29 is sealed againstleakage.

It is contemplated by the principles of the present invention to formconduit or passageway means within the bus 22, for directing theelectrolytic fluid into and out of the annular passageway 29, arrangedand configured in a manner to provide a spiral flow path through theannular passageway, thereby to eliminate eddy currents within theelectrolytic fluid as the same passes through the electrolytic cells 14.Inlet conduit means include a short bore or aperture 39 formed in thenipple 26 and extending axially of the outer cylindrical surface 24 andat least one cross bore or aperture 41. As illustrated in the drawings,a plurality of the cross bores 41 may be provided to increase the flowcapacity of the electrolytic cell 14. Also, outlet conduit means includean axial bore 42 fonned in the nipple 27 and at least one cross bore 43.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the inlet apertures 41, which arearranged to direct the electrolytic fluid through the annular chamber 29in a spiral flow path, are particularly characterized as comprising aplurality of apertures disposed in annularly spaced relationship andarranged parallel to annularly spaced radial axes of the cylindrical busso as to be generally tangent to the axes and transversely offset insimilar directions therefrom. Thus, as the electrolytic fluid exitingfrom ports 46 formed by apertures 41 impinges against the cylindricalwall surface 28, the fluid is circumferentially directed around theannular passageway 29 to form a spiral flow path advancing axially alongthe annular passageway. In that manner, eddy currents within theelectrolytic cell 14 are eliminated, since the fluid impinges against aslanted surface and travels around the annular passageway 29 in onedirection instead of in opposite directions whereby the fluid wouldcollide and create eddy currents.

The outlet apertures 43, which are axially spaced downstream of theinlet passageways or apertures 41, also are disposed in an annularlyspaced relationship and circumferentially ofiset from radial axes of thecylindrical surface 24 in the same circumferential direction as theoffset of the inlet apertures 41, thereby scooping up the spirallyflowing electrolytic fluid.

In order to hydraulically connect the electrolytic cell 14 to thehydrauliccircuit 11 so that the cell is electrically insulated from theremainder of the circuit, a connecting member 48, composed ofelectrically insulative material, is threaded into each of the collars34 at the inlet end and outlet end of one of the electrolytic cells 14or a series of the cells. The connecting member 48 may have apartispherical surface as at 49 for cooperating with a complementallyformed conical surface as at 51 formed on a coupling member 52. Acoupling collar 53 threadingly engages the member 52 in a manner tocompress a flared end portion 54 of a pipe 56 between the matingsurfaces 49 and 51. The pipe 56 may be suitably attached to one of themanifolds, such as the inlet manifold 18, to form a flow path includinga bore 57 of the connecting member 48 for passing the electrolytic fluidthrough the cells 14. Also, the cells 14 may be hydraulically connectedin series arrangement by threadingly engaging the inlet nipple 26 of oneof the cells into the coupling collar 34 threaded onto the outlet nipple27 of an adjacent one of the cells.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrolytic cells 14 of thepresent invention may be utilized in the closed hydraulic circuit 11 ina manner to provide heated electrolytic fluid to the heat exchanger 15,which may be adapted to transfer heat to either a gas, such as air, or aliquid, such as water. One form of the present invention, as illustratedin FIG. 1, contemplates forming the heat exchanger means 15 as a finnedradiator having coils 58 for receiving the heated electrolytic fluidfrom the cells 14 via the outlet manifold pipe 19. A fan or blower 59,powered by a suitable electric motor, draws air through the finnedradiator 15 and over heat transfer surfaces thereof in a manner totransfer heat from the electrolytic fluid to the air. The radiator orheat exchanging coil 15 is mounted between a pair of spaced, parallelwalls 61 and 62 forming an end of an enclosed cabinet housing thehydraulic circuit 1 1.

The heated air drawn into the cabinet 63 by the fan 59 is forced throughthe substantially rectangular exit opening 64 and into a space or roomto be heated. If desired, appropriate ducts may receive the heated airfrom the exit opening 64 for distribution to remotely located rooms.Thus, the present invention provides a forced air type space heateradapted to convert electrical energy into thenna] energy. Further, the

heating system 10 differs from other heating systems utilizing aradiator and heated fluid, since the system 10 does not require a tankfor holding a reservoir of heated liquid. Instead, the electrolyticcells 14 instantaneously heat the electrolytic fluid for distribution tothe heat exchanger or radiator 15 only when there is a demand for heatedair in the space to be heated.

in order to provide control means for the heating system 10, a suitablethermostatic control may be disposed remotely of the enclosure 63 and ina space to be heated. The thermostat may be electrically controlled tothe flow switch 16 via the wires 64 and 66 and with the pump motor 13via the wires 67 and 68 in a manner to open the flow switch and startoperation of the pump whenever there is a demand for heat in an areaadjacent the thermostat. Also, the thermostat may actuate contactors forsupplying electrical energy to the electrolytic cells 14 via wires as at69 and 71. The wire 69 is connected to the outer electrode 21, whereasthe wire 71 is electrically connected to the inner electrode or bus 22contained within the outer electrode. In that manner a potential isapplied across the electrolytic fluid as the same passes through theannular chamber 29 fonned between the bus 22 and the outer electrode 21It should be noted that lead lines or wires such as 69 and 71 areprovided for each of the electrolytic cells 14 and that the cells areelectrically connected in parallel.

- An expansion tank 72 is hydraulically connected to the circuit l 1 viathe T connection 73, thereby relieving excess pressure within thehydraulic circuit caused by expansion of the electrolytic fluid, whenheated. Also, to prevent excessive heating of the electrolytic fluid,the thermostat l7, sensing a temperature of the electrolytic fluid, iselectrically connected via the wires 74 and 76 to an actuator for thecontacts which complete a circuit to the cells so that an increase inthe temperature of the fluid above a predetermined maximum will breakthe circuit to the cells. i

In a specific example, a forced air type space heater, as illustrat edin FIG. 1, incorporated three electrolytic cells hydraulically connectedin a parallel arrangement. Each of the cells was dimensioned so that theannular'p'assageway was 0.265 inches in radial width and 1.750 inches inaxial length. The pump circulated an average of 9.9 gallons per minuteof electrolytic fluid through the system, and the fan pulledapproximately 161.7 cubic feet per minute of air across a coil having aface area of 360 square inches. The average current density of the outerelectrode of the example was. 1.25 ampheres at 7.4 volts AC.. Thethermalyield was excellent.

It is also contemplated by the present invention to provide a heatingsystem as illustrated in FIG. 2, adapted for transferring thermal energyfrom the heated electrolytic fluid to a liquid, such as water. Theliquid heating system 10, as illustrated in the drawings, isparticularly adaptable to heating chlorinated water for a heatedswimming pool. I

v In the liquid heating system 10, a heat exchanger adapted fortransferring heat to a liquid, is substituted for the finned radiator 15utilized in the space heater 10. Thus, the hydraulic circuit 11' wouldbe essentially-identicalinconstruction to that already described andlike parts are identified with like numerals to which a prime has beenadded.

The heat exchanger 15' generally comprises a cylindrical outer shell 81having opposite ends closed by end caps 82. A plurality of thin-walledtubes are-disposed within the shell 81 and extend parallel to an axisthereof. Each of the opposite end portions of the tubes 83 are sealinglysecured in perforations 84 formed in a disc member 86. The disc members86 are spaced inwardly of the end caps82 in a manner to form inlet andoutlet chambers communicating'with bores 87 of the tubes 83. Thus, theheated electrolytic fluid is passed into a lower one of the chambers viathe pipe 88 and passed upwardly through the tubes for recirculation tothe electrolytic cells 14 via the heat exchanger outlet pipe 89.

A liquid to be heated, such as water for a swimming pool, is pumpedthrough the heat exchanger 15' via the inlet pipe 91 and the outlet pipe92. The liquid passes through the area between the spaced discs 86,thereby passing over heat transfer surfaces formed by the tubes 83 fortransferring the thermal energy from the heated electrolytic fluid tothe utilitarian liquid.

From the foregoing description, it should be noted that the presentinvention provides a heating system wherein an electrolytic fluid ofknown chemical composition is circulated within a closed hydraulicsystem including one or more electrolytic cells for applying a potentialacross the flowing fluid and including heat exchanger means fortransferring thermal energyfrom the heated electrolytic fluidto autilitarian fluid. In operation, the electrolytic cell gradually erodesinto the electrolytic fluid and thus converts the latent energy ofmatter into thermal energy by an apparent electrode chemical process.The extent of this conversion of matter to thermal energy is dependentupon several interrelated factors, which factors consists essentially oftemperature of the fluid, chemical composition of the fluid, distancebetween electrodes of I the cell, material forming theelectrodes,'surface area of the electrodes contacting the fluid andcurrent densities of the electrodes. I

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versedin the art,- it should be understood that I wish to embody within thescope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications asreasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to theart.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fluid heating apparatus comprising:

an electrolytic fluid;

a closed hydrolytic circuit having said electrolytic fluid circulatedtherewithin and including, in series arrangement, a pump for drivingsuch fluid through said circuit;

heating means downstream of said pump and including;

means forming a first electrode having an outer cylindrical surface, and

means fonning a second electrode having an inner cylindrical surfacesized relative to said first electrode to cooperate therewith fordefining therebetween an elongated annular flow passageway within saidcircuit for receiving said electrolytic fluid; v 7 7 conduit meansformed within said first electrode and having a first portion fordelivering said electrolytic fluid to said annular passageway and asecond portion axially spaced from said first portion for receiving saidfluid from said annular passageway; said first conduit portioncomprising an aperture opening from one end of said first electrode anddisposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof and at leastone annularly spaced aperture intercepting the axially aperture andopening into said annular passageway, said apertures being disposedparallel to radial axis of said first electrode and transversely offsetfrom the radial axis in similar circumferential directions,

- electric power means electrically energizing said electrodes duringpassage of'electr olytic fluid through said flow passageway to maintaina potential across said fluid, thereby to add thermal energy to saidelectrolytic fluid;

heat exchange means disposed downstream of said heating means fortransferring thermal energy from said electrolytic fluid to autilitarian fluid; and

means directing and driving the utilitarian fluid over heat transfersurfaces of said heat exchange means for effecting transfer of thermalenergy from said heated electrolytic fluid to the utilitarian fluid anddirecting the utilitarian fluid from the heat exchange to a point ofutilization.

2. A fluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondconduit portion comprises:

a second aperture opening from the other end of said first electrode anddisposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof, and at leastone annularly spaced aperture intercepting said second aperture andopening from said annular passageway, said apertures being disposedparallel to radial axes of said first electrode and transversely oflsetfrom the radial axes in opposing circumferential directions from theoffset of said first portion apertures.

3. A fluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein saidelectrolytic fluid consists essentially of distilled water, coppersulfate and an alkyl aryl sulfonate.

4. A fluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein saidelectrolytic fluid consists essentially of distilled watc five parts permillion of copper sulfate, and three parts per million of an alkyl arylsulfate.

5. In an electric fluid heating apparatus of the type having anelongated bus fonned with an outer cylindrical surface and anelectrodeencircling said bus and having an inner cylindrical surfaceradially spaced outwardly from said bus cylindrical surface to form anelongated annular flow passageway and conduit means formed within saidbus for directing said electrolytic fluid through said annularpassageway; improvement comprising in that said conduit means comprises:

a first portion formed in one end of said bus for directing saidelectrolytic fluid to said annular passageway; and a second portionformed in said bus for receiving said electrolytic fluid from saidannular passageway and being axially spaced from said first portion;each of said first and second portions being formed at opposite ends ofsaid bus and each comprising: an aperture opening from one of theopposing ends of said bus and disposed axially of the cylindrical outersurface thereof; and

a plurality of angularly spaced apertures intercepting said axialaperture and opening into said annular passageway,

said apertures being disposed parallel to radial axes of said bus andtransversely offset from the radial axes in similar circumferentialdirections, whereby electrolytic fluid entering said annular flowpassageway through said first portion is directed spirally through saidflow passageway and into said angularly spaced apertures of said secondportion in a manner to eliminate eddy currents within the electrolyticfluid as the same passes through said annular passageway.

I III 'I III

1. A fluid heating apparatus comprising: an electrolytic fluid; a closedhydRolytic circuit having said electrolytic fluid circulated therewithinand including, in series arrangement, a pump for driving such fluidthrough said circuit; heating means downstream of said pump andincluding; means forming a first electrode having an outer cylindricalsurface, and means forming a second electrode having an innercylindrical surface sized relative to said first electrode to cooperatetherewith for defining therebetween an elongated annular flow passagewaywithin said circuit for receiving said electrolytic fluid; conduit meansformed within said first electrode and having a first portion fordelivering said electrolytic fluid to said annular passageway and asecond portion axially spaced from said first portion for receiving saidfluid from said annular passageway; said first conduit portioncomprising an aperture opening from one end of said first electrode anddisposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof and at leastone annularly spaced aperture intercepting the axially aperture andopening into said annular passageway, said apertures being disposedparallel to radial axis of said first electrode and transversely offsetfrom the radial axis in similar circumferential directions, electricpower means electrically energizing said electrodes during passage ofelectrolytic fluid through said flow passageway to maintain a potentialacross said fluid, thereby to add thermal energy to said electrolyticfluid; heat exchange means disposed downstream of said heating means fortransferring thermal energy from said electrolytic fluid to autilitarian fluid; and means directing and driving the utilitarian fluidover heat transfer surfaces of said heat exchange means for effectingtransfer of thermal energy from said heated electrolytic fluid to theutilitarian fluid and directing the utilitarian fluid from the heatexchange to a point of utilization.
 2. A fluid heating apparatus asdefined in claim 1 wherein said second conduit portion comprises: asecond aperture opening from the other end of said first electrode anddisposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof, and at leastone annularly spaced aperture intercepting said second aperture andopening from said annular passageway, said apertures being disposedparallel to radial axes of said first electrode and transversely offsetfrom the radial axes in opposing circumferential directions from theoffset of said first portion apertures.
 3. A fluid heating apparatus asdefined in claim 1 wherein said electrolytic fluid consists essentiallyof distilled water, copper sulfate and an alkyl aryl sulfonate.
 4. Afluid heating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrolyticfluid consists essentially of distilled water, five parts per million ofcopper sulfate, and three parts per million of an alkyl aryl sulfate. 5.In an electric fluid heating apparatus of the type having an elongatedbus formed with an outer cylindrical surface and an electrode encirclingsaid bus and having an inner cylindrical surface radially spacedoutwardly from said bus cylindrical surface to form an elongated annularflow passageway and conduit means formed within said bus for directingsaid electrolytic fluid through said annular passageway; improvementcomprising in that said conduit means comprises: a first portion formedin one end of said bus for directing said electrolytic fluid to saidannular passageway; and a second portion formed in said bus forreceiving said electrolytic fluid from said annular passageway and beingaxially spaced from said first portion; each of said first and secondportions being formed at opposite ends of said bus and each comprising:an aperture opening from one of the opposing ends of said bus anddisposed axially of the cylindrical outer surface thereof; and aplurality of angularly spaced apertures intercepting said axial apertureand opening into said annular passageway, said apertures bEing disposedparallel to radial axes of said bus and transversely offset from theradial axes in similar circumferential directions, whereby electrolyticfluid entering said annular flow passageway through said first portionis directed spirally through said flow passageway and into saidangularly spaced apertures of said second portion in a manner toeliminate eddy currents within the electrolytic fluid as the same passesthrough said annular passageway.